Nipple threading machine



y 14, 1953 D. D. R. MACKINTOSH NIPPLE TI'IREADING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Shee 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1949 IN V EN TUR.

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Patented July 14, 1 953 NIPPIifiTHRE-ADING MACHINE I g r I Donald DT'R. Mackintosh, Chicago, in, .Application February 23,1949, SerialNo. 77,720 a The invention relates to improvements v in threading machines and moreparticularly toan s'omims. (o1. -105) I automatic nipple feeding, threading and deliv-i ery apparatus. The invention is more particuing apparatus of a kind wherein the nipples or like work pieces are fed into a holding chuck which clamps the nipple and holds it firmly in a position to receive thereover a rotating threading head which is advanced over the nipple during the threading operation and withdrawn there from at the completion of the threading operation. I

The machine of the present invention embodies novel structural details and a novel association of operating parts and control elements tend: ing to enable full automatic operation. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide such a machine. I i Another object is to provide a threading maing, chucking. threading, un-chucking and discharge are performedautomatically and in timed sequence. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a nipple threading machine with novel valve means to control theflow of air to and from operating cylinders therein.

'Anotlier object is to provide an automatic machine of the character described which is inexpensive to construct, simple to operate and high- 1y efficient and accurate in operation.

Other and further objects of the present in-' vention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same principle may be used, and s'tructural'changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art, without dechine with a novelly mounted chuckadapted t0 absorb torque and to cause machine stoppage when excessive torque is created.

Another object is to provide a novelly constructed fluid motor and threading head mount-' ing assembly.

Another object is to provide a novel piston and sealingringconstruction.

Another object, of the invention is to provide, in a fluid-controlled threading machine, novelly constructed flow control valves.

Another object is to'provide a novel fluid erated feed mechanism for a chuck. I

Another object isItoprovide anipple-threading machine with novel electricallyactuated interlocking control mechanisms operable to actuate various parts thereof at selected intervals and for predetermined periods of time.

Another object is to provide a nipple-thread ing machine in whichthe threading heads are advanced in one direction at a rate of speed difierent from the speed of return. i p

Another object is to providea novel automatic nipple-threading machine with novel means to expedite the threading of nipples automatically fed thereto during the automatic threading operation. I 7

Another object is to provide a nipple-thread of speed during the threading operation, so'that the threads are accurately formed thereon.

Another object is to provide a nipple-thread ing machine in which allthe steps ofnipple-f eedsupplying nipples to parting from the present invention and the pur- View of the appended claims. t

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a threading machine embodying features'of the present invention, omitting'theflu'id lines, control Valves and electrically controlled elements.

Fig. 2 is an endelevational view ofthe chuck.

Fig; 3. is a longitudinal central sectional View of the threading head air' motor.

' Fig.4 is afcentral sectional view through on I of the flow-regulating valves, showing parts in elevation.

I Fig.5 is an 'elevational view; partlyinsection';

of the airmotoriprovided'for turning the chuck. Fig. '6 is a longitudinal sectional View through the chuck. i

' Fig". 7 is :a' schematic view of the fluid supply lines" and control valves, showing the electrical wiring and control switches associated therewith, the machineparts being illustrated in broken The machine of the present inventi'onis par-- ticularly designed to effectautomatic threading of nipples or like work pieces." It includes a suit able magazine adapted to deliver work pieces" to automatic feed" means operable to carry' said' work pieces intofpos' 'ition'for' engageinentby a holding. chuck which subsequently is moved into" a positions'o that a rotating threading head; m y" advance o'veifone end of the work piece to'thread the same. thepresentvmachine the threading headi's actuated inTsuch. manner asto cause it" to return to its initial position upon completion of the threading operation. When the' threading} head returns to itsini-tialiposition the chuck is" carried back into-its work feeding positionaat which time the threaded work piece therein is released and discharged, and another piece is delivered thereto.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings and especially to the Fig. l disclosure, the machine of the present invention is suitably mounted upon a bed II. A pair of spaced-apart vertical standards I2 are firmly mounted upon the base II, and are intended to provide bearing means for a chuck I3. The chuck l3 may be of any conventional automatic work-engaging structure, but it is preferred that it embody the novel structure illustrated in Fig. 6, and which will be described more fully presently.

It is sufficient to note at this time that th chuck I3 includes a cylindrical body I4, having diametrically opposed bosses I5 and trunnions I 6 projecting outwardly therefrom on either side thereof. The trunnions I6 are journaled for free rotation in bearing blocks I1, slideably mounted in the standards I2. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each bearing block includes a substantial T-shaped element I8 and a bearing cap IS. The depending portions of the T-shaped elements I8 are slideably mounted, one in a vertical guide 2| provided in each standard I2. The guides 2I are of sufficient depth to eXtend substantially to the bottom of respective standards I2 so as to provide chambers to receive compression springs 22 interposed between the bottom of the standards I2 and the lower ends of the depending portions of the T-shaped members l8.

It should be quite apparent at this time that the springs 22 normally retain the bearing elements H in a predetermined position of elevation, so that the chuck I3 is thereby suitably journaled in horizontally-aligned bearings so as to be tilted on a horizontal axis during machine operation. The yieldable mounting for the chuck I3 is provided for purposes to be explained presently.

Referring to Fig. 6 of the drawing, it will be observed that the body I4 of the chuck I3 is substantially hollow and receives within the hollow portion thereof a piston 23 firmly secured on an axial sleeve 24. One end of the sleeve 24 projects through a cap plate 25, and its other end has a slidable fit in the forward end of the chuck housing I4, as at 26. The last-named end of the sleeve 24 is internally recessed and tapped to receive a tubular extension 21 which is operably associated with a plurality of chuck jaws 28 having grippers 29 slidably associated therewith. The jaws 28 have tapered outside surfaces which cooperate with the internal conical surface 30 of a jaw housing 3I firmly mounted on the closed end of the housing I4 as by means of bolts 32. The chuck structure described hereinabove is of a kind that is actuated by fluid pressure, and accordingly, it is provided with a fiuid inlet 33 in the cap plate 25 communicating with the interior of the housing I4 on one side of the piston 23 and a fluid inlet 34 which communicates with housing space on the other side of the piston 23. In operation, fiuid under pressure is admitted initially through the inlet 34 into the closing side of the housing interior to urge the piston 23 in the direction of the cap plate 25. Movement of the piston in this direction carries the sleeve 24 and its extension 2! rearwardly so as to draw the jaws 28 into the jaw housing 3|, whereupon said grippers are contracted radially to firmly grip a work piece inserted therein. To release the work piece, the forward or closing side of the housing is opened to atmosphere and fluid under pressure 4 is admitted through the inlet 33 into the opening side of the housing interior to urge the piston forwardly in the opposite direction. This movement carries the jaws 28 forwardly, whereupon the grippers 29 return to their initial spread position by reason of springs 35 to release the work piece. When the chuck is tilted as shown in broken lines in Fig. 7 the freed work piece then drops downwardly through the sleeve 24 onto a suitable conveyor or other means provided for the reception of such pieces. The grippers 29 preferably are provided with threads 36 on their inside faces so as to facilitate the gripping of work pieces or nipples having threaded ends inserted into the chuck.

The work pieces are fed to the chuck I3 while the chuck is in the position illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 7. Suitable automatic means is provided for delivering said work pieces. As best shown in Fig. '1, said means preferably includes an air motor 4| having a piston, operable therein, provided with a piston rod 42 extending through one end thereof. A work piece engaging and feeding element 43 is carried on the projecting end of the piston rod 42. As shown, the element 43 is elongated and is provided on its free end with spring jaws 44 to embraceably engage a work piece 45 delivered thereto from a magazine 45. The work piece feeding mechanism is supported in the angular position illustrated, and in axial alignment with the axis of the chuck I3, when the latter is positioned as shown in Fig. 7, by a bracket 41. A forwardly projecting arm 48 on said bracket is disposed to underlie the work piece engaging element 43 to afford a slideable mounting and support therefor. The bracket 4! may be formed integrally with a substantially S-shaped base plate 49, firmly secured, as by means of bolts or other anchoring devices, to the upper end of a bracket 50 firmly supported on the base II.

The work piece magazine 46 may be of any conventional construction. However, it is preferred that it include a chute 5| disposed in a vertical plane and provided with an adjustable bottom wall 52 so as to adapt it to accommodate work pieces of various lengths. The work pieces 45 are fed by gravity downwardly in the magazine 46 and are successively engaged, during machine operation, by the spring jaws 44 and are carried downwardly and seated in the chuck opening. Movement of the work piece feeding element 43 into its various operative positions is accomplished by admitting fluid under pressure, successively, into opposed ends of the fluid motor H. To this end, the fluid motor has fluid lines 53' and 54 communicating with opposite ends thereof.

When a work piece has been positioned in the chuck I3 the work piece carrying element 43 is disengaged therefrom and withdrawn, in a manher to be described presently, whereupon the chuck is rocked on its horizontal axis from the work piece feeding position into the work piece threading position shown in full lines in Fig. 1. Such movement of the chuck I3 is accomplished by means of a fluid motor 55, which includes a piston 56 (Fig. 5) having its piston rod 51 connected, at its free end, as at 58, to an arm 59 firmly secured to and depending from one of the chuck trunnions I6. The fluid motor is designed to have a predetermined stroke in both directions. Consequently, the piston is located at either end of said motor when the chuck is in either one of its two positions of adjustment. Fluid is delivered selectively to either end of the fluid motor 55, through inlet lines 6| and 62.

The apparatus includes automatic means for threading the projecting end of the-work piece when the chuck is in the position shown in Fig. 1. As there illustrated, such means includes a cylindrical housing 63 formed integrally with or otherwise firmly secured to the base plate 48 in axial alignment with the chuck when the latter is in the position illustrated. A cylindrical-piston 64, best shown in Fig. 3, is mounted for longitudinal reciprocation in the cylindrical housing 63. Upon reference to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the cylindrical piston 64 includes a medial circumferential enlargement 65 provided with piston rings so as to have an airtight sliding fit within the cylindrical housing 63. Circular end walls 66, screw-threaded into opposed ends of the housing 63, provide a hermetic seal at the housing ends so as to prevent the escape of fluid delivered to the interior of the housing 63 for moving the piston 64 in either direction longitudinally.

A tubular bushing 61 is mounted snugly within the cylindrical piston 64. This bushing is longer than the piston 64 and is closed at one end as by means of an integral end wall 68. It is provided on its other end with external threads 69 to receive and secure a cap ring 1| thereon. The end wall 68 and the cap ring 1| areof larger external diameter thanthe diameter of the tubular bushing 61 so as to afford shoulders 12 and 13 opposed to the respective ends of the cylindrical piston 64. Coil springs 14 are interposed between the piston ends and said shoulders to afford means whereby the, tubular bushing Bl may shift longitudinally relative to the cylindrical piston 64 when pressure is applied endwiseto the bushing. This structure affords means whereby any excessive thrust on the tubular bushing may be absorbed without shock.

The bushing end wall 68 and cap ring 1| are provided with axial openings through which a shaft 8| extends. This shaft is reduced at one end, as at 82, and receives slidably thereon a pulley 83 (Fig. 1) connected by a belt 84 to a driven pulley 85 carried on the shaft of a motor This 86 firmly secured upon the base plate '40. structure affords means whereby the shaft 8| may be rotated during machine operation and shifted longitudinally with the cylindrical piston 64 relative to housing 63. Anti-friction thrust bearings 61 are provided at each end of the tubular bushing 61 and are retained in place by a sleeve 88 carried on the shaft 8| and having its ends in tight abutment with the inner races of said bearings. A compression spring 89, surrounding the sleeve 88, bears against collars 9| so as to urge said collars tightly against the outer bearing races.

The end of the shaft 8| extending through the cap ring 1| carries a threading head generally indicated at 92. This threading head may be of any conventional and well-known structure including means in the form of a reciprocal collar 93 adapted to be urged outwardly when the threading head reaches the limit of its threading operation. Inasmuch as the construction of threading heads of this kind is well known, it is thought to be sufficient to note at this time that it includes threading dies which, when care ried downwardly during head rotation over the projecting end of the work piece, thread said projecting end.

' In operation, the threading head 92 is positioned substantially as shown in Fig. 1. When the chuck I3 is positioned to locate the, work piece in axial alignment therewith, fluid under pressure is admitted into what mightbe termedthe advancing end of the cylindrical housing 63 through a fluid line 94, whereupon the piston 64 and shaft 8| are moved forwardly to carry the threading head downwardly over the work piece. As soon as the-predetermined amount of threading of the work 'piece has been accomplished, the threading head collar 93 is actuated to actuate means to be described presently for torque to the chuck l3. In order to avoid dam-- age to either the threading head 92 or chuck 3, means is provided in the present construction whereby continued operation of the machine 1 is prevented. Such means includes a torque switch 0| which is connected, in a manner to be described hereinafter, in the electric control circuit for the machine. The torque switch |0| preferably is carried on the upper end of one of the standards l2 and is adapted to have its switch element actuated when engaged by a surface, such as'the surface I02 of one of the yieldably mounted bearing blocks 11.

The chuck rocking fluid motor preferably is constructed in the manner best illustrated in Fig. 5. As there shown, it includes a cylindrical housingl03 within which the piston 56 operates. .Thepiston 56 comprises a built-up structure consisting of end elements I04 and an intermediate element I05. The intermediate element may be tapped on opposed faces to receive externally-threaded studs orbosses, I06 formed integrally with each end piece I04 whereby the three elements are formed into an integral unit. I

This three-piece construction preferably is adapted in order to facilitate machining of circumferential recesses I01 on each end element, and reception therein of internally channeled pliable piston rings I08. The ring channels are each placed in communciation with an end of the cylindrical housing I03, as by means of fluid passageways I09. This construction affords means whereby fluid admitted under pressure into either end of the housing I03 is conveyed to the channel in one of the piston rings I08, so as to expand said piston ring laterally and radially to insure a hermetic seal.-

Air lines to all of the fluid motors are connected, through auxiliary headers and conduits to be specifically identified hereinafter, with a main fluid line 0. Certain of said lines are, as

shown in Fig. 7, provided at selected locations with fiowcontrol valves |,-preferably of a kind best shown in Fig. 4. These valves are designed topermit rapid fiow of fluid in one direction and restricted flow in the opposite direction.

. Specifically, the valve includes a cast body controlled valve element I I operable therein. In the present disclosure the valve element consists of a two-piece cylindrical body having opposed flat surfaces H6 formed by back-cutting each piece I I1 and I I8 of the valve element. The valve piece H1 is of sufiicient diameter as to have a snug friction-tight fit in the bore I I4. The other piece II8 is slidable in the bore II4, such movement being accomplished preferably by means of a threaded stem II9 extending through a cap plug I and being rotatably connected as at I2I to said valve piece. A hand wheel I22 on the projecting end of the stem II8 affords means whereby the stem may be easily rotated manually.

It is preferred that the periphery of the hand wheel I22 be tapered on opposed edges to provide a knife-like circumference I23 adapted to co-act with guage markings I24 on a guage I25 firmly secured to the valve body. Thus it is apparent that the valve piece I I8 may be adjusted relative to the valve piece II1 to any predetermined degree ascertained upon reference to guage markings I24.

Adjustment of the valve piece IIB relative to the valve piece II! is provided so as to regulate the flow of fluid through the passageway II3. As illustrated, each valve piece H1 and [I8 is provided with a substantially square or noncircular opening I26, When in register, these openings permit the passage of a maximum amount of fluid through the passage II3. When the valve piece is moved with relation to the valve piece I I1, the previously aligned square openings I26 therein are carried out of alignment so as to thereby afford a restricted opening through which fluid may pass. It should be apparent that the provision of valves III in selected fluid lines provides means whereby the flow of fluid under pressure may be controlled for efficient machine operation.

The valves I I I also embody means whereby the rate of flow of fluid in one direction may difler from the rate of flow in the other direction. Accordingly, each valve III includes longitudinal bores I21 and I28, each communicating at one end with the passageway H2. The other ends of said bores are placed in communication through a bypass I29. A check valve I3I arranged in said bypass permits the flow of fluid through the bores I21 and I28 and bypass I29 in one direction only. A valve element I32, of a kind like the valve element H5 is provided in the bore I28 to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough. The construction of the valve III is, accordingly, such that fluid can flow directly therethrough at a predetermined volume, in one direction, and through a controlled bypass at a different volume, in the other direction.

The specific arrangement and association of the various valves, fluid motors and control devices, including the electrical control circuit, may best be described while describing the operation of the machine.

Operation To place the apparatus in condition for operation, the feed magazine 5I is stocked with work pieces. The main switch MI in the main electric supply lines I42 is closed. A main valve I43 in the fluid supply line I I0 is opened, thus admitting fluid under pressure into a cross line I44 communicating through a lead-in-line I45 and solenoid valve I46 which is open, at this time, to the inlet 33 on the opening side of the chuck I3. A solenoid valve I41 in the extension I48 of 8 pressure line I44 leading to the inlet 34 on the closing side of the chuck is closed at this time to the passage of fluid andis positioned to vent the closing side of the chuck to atmosphere. Thus, the jaws of the chuck are held open to receive a work piece.

Actual feeding of a work piece from the feed magazine 5I to the chuck is effected by actuation of the feed mechanism 43 through operation of its fluid motor 4I. Accordingly, opening of the main valve conditions the fluid motor for operation. Thus, pressure in the fluid line I45 leading to the chuck inlet 33 is transmitted through a control line I49 to a closed delay action valve I50 located in pressure line I5I connected to the inlet 53 to the advancing end of the fluid motor 4|. A solenoid valve I52, inserted in line I5I between the delay action valve I50 and the inlet 53, is closed to the passage of fluid at this time. Simultaneously with the opening of delay action valve !50, a delay action valve I53 in the pressure line I54, communicating with the inlet 54 on the return end of the fluid motor 4I, is vented to atmosphere because of the negative pressure in its pressure control line I55 leading from the line I44 beyond the vented solenoid valve I41.

With the solenoid valves I46, I41 and I52 and the delay action valves I53 and I53 in the positions indicated, actual operation of the machine is initiated by closing a starting switch I56 so as to condition the solenoid valve I52 to admit fluid pressure into the advancing end of the fluid motor M. The rate of advance of the piston in said fluid motor to carry a workpiece into the chuck may be regulated by the setting of the flow regulator valve III in the inlet 53. When the workpiece 45 is thrust into the open chuck the required distance, a double-throw switch I51 is actuated by the carrier 43 and is reversed. This cuts oil the current supply through conduit I58 to the side of the valves I46 and I41 which were energized initially and energizes the other sides of said valves through conduit I59 to reverse the positions of the elements therein. Thus the solenoid valve I46 is vented to atmosphere and pressure is flowed through solenoid valve I41 into the inlet 2-4 on the closing side of the chuck so as to close its jaws and grip the workpiece firmly. At the same time, the pressure on the delay action valves I50 and I53 to close valve I50 and open valve I53 through lines I49 and I55 is reversed, thus venting the advancing end of the fluid motor 41 and admitting fluid pressure through inlet 54 to the return end. The feed mechanism is, accordingly, returned to its initial position.

It should be observed at this time that a switch 560, associated with the threading head 92, is positioned to maintain an electric circuit open through lines I5II62 so that a relay I63 in said lines is ole-energized to hold a switch I64 in line I65 open to de-energize one side of solenoid valves I66 and I61. The other side of each valve I66 and I81 is energized by current flowing through terminal a of switch I and lines I68 and I69. With the circuit established, valve I61 is open to fluid pressure in the line I1I, while valve I66 is vented to atmosphere. Accordingly, fluid under pressure is admitted into line I12 to actuate a delay action valve I13 in a pressure line I14 leading from the fluid supply to inlet 62 on the advancing end of fluid motor 55. This pressure, entering the fluid motor 55 behind its piston 56, moves said piston and its rod 51 foriphere.

60 reversed by movement of the chuck into threading position.

Return of the chuck to loading position closes the switch I15, which energizes line I 9I to valve I46 and I41, so as to reverse the positions of the elements therein, whereupon the valve I41 is vented to atmosphere and the valve I46 admits r I pressure through inlet to open thec huckjaws.

operating position,switch I16 is-engaged thereby and reversed, thus energizing line 111, through switch terminal I16 b, and opening solenoid valve I 18 to pressure and venting valve I 19 to iatmos- This admits fluid ipressure through inlet '95 behind the piston in fluid motor 63, to cause the head 92 to advance over the work and perform the threading operation. 1

As stated hercinabove, the operating head 92 is of type that opens "when the threading has been performed for the required distance. When this occurs, the collar 93 thereon move's outwardly and strikes the control. of switch I60 to open the circuit through terminal a'and lines I 68 I6'9 and line "H1, and to close the circuit through switch terminal I60 c-and energize line 1 61. Current flowing throughline I 61 energizes the relay 668 andclos'es switch I64 in line 465 for purposes to be described presently. A seoondrelay 11 6 is connected in parallel with relay I 63 so as to open and close a switch I86 simultaneously therewith. The stoppage of current flow through line I11, upon reversal of switch I60, and its flow through relay switch H30 and lines I8I and I90 reverses the positions of the valve elements insolenoid valves H8 and I 1'9, thusventingvalve I18 to {atmosphere and admittingpressure through valve I19 and inlet SE-t0 the return end "Of fluid 11161301- 53. The head 92 then begins its return to starting position. r

When the relay switch I80 was closed to start the return movement of the threading head, the relay switch I60 was also closed. 6 Closing of this switch I64 energized line I65 connected "with valves I66 and I61, so 'asto open the valve I66 to operating pressure delivered thereto through fluid line I83, and to vent valve I61 to atmosphere. Pressure admitted through valve I66 acts upon a delay action valve I84 in pressure line I85 to open said valve and admit pressure to the forward end of the fluid motor '55 through inlet 6|. Venting of valve I61 causes the delay action valve in line I14 to vent the-atmosphere. This relieves the pressure behind the piston in fiuid motor 55 and permits said piston to return to its initial position, thus rocking the chuck I3 back into workpiece-receiving position. The (initial return movement of the chuck is delayed because of the delay action valves"I13 and I84and new control valves I I I in the fluid motor lines 6| and I14, thus giving the working head ample time to back off of and clear the workpiece. I

Initial return movement of the chuck to loading position reverses the switch I16 tomove its contact blade from terminal 1; to terminald to which line I90 is connected. Thus, when the threading head reaches its initial starting position, at which time switch I60 is again reversed to de-energize the relays I63 and-I10, current will flow through switch I60; terminal a, line I68, switch I16, its terminal (1 and line I90. sult, pressure is maintained through inlet 95 and the threading head mechanism remains immovable until such time as the switch I16 is again As a re- .Whenthe chuck jaws are opened, the workpiece I is free to slide through the opening therein and maybe deposited in a receptacleor on a conveyor operative to carry the workpiece toa companion threading machine operable to threa'dthe o't her end of the nipple.

It should be observed that, 'with .pressurerestored to the "opening side of thechuck, .pressure is res'tored'to the line I49 so as toopen' delay valve- I50, whereupon pressure is admitted into the advancing end of feed fluid motor cylinder M to initiate the repeat cycle of op e'ra- I tion. I

In the event the threading operation creates an excessive torque on the chuck I3, means is provided in the form of the cutout switch 'I'0'I to stop operation until such eir'cessiveload is evercome. To this end, the switch IN "is mounted on the vertical support I2, and is closely associated with one of the s ring-'m'cuntea'beanng' elements I8. Thus, when excessive 'tor'que causes the chuck to rock downwardly in the direction of rotation of the threa'di'n'g head, the switch is opened to cut the current supply-to control switch I51. I

A safety -switch I92 also is providedon the threading head fluid motor which switch is tuated to cut the main current supply when the threading he-ad advances over the workpiece a distance greater than thatre'quired or desired.

From the foregoing, it should bequite evident that nipples or other workpieces may be quickly threaded by operation of the machine disclosed herein; and that the specific valve structures and air motors, and particularly the air motor coning drawings-and described in detail in the foregoing specification, it should be understood that the invention is capable of embodying a variety of modifications including the employment, in association therewith, of an air chuck of other conventional construction, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. v r J r I claim:

1. In anipple, threading machine, a chuck adapted to hold a work piece, a rotatable jsha'ft carrying a thradinghead, yieldable supports 'fo'r said chuck, means pivotally mounting said chuck on said supports so that the chuck may rock to carry the work piece into and out of axial alignment with the rotatable shaft, means actuable when the work piece moves into alignment with the shaft to rotate the shaft and threading head, means'to advance and retract the threading head toward and away from the work piece when the latter is in alignment therewith, and means actuable upon yielding of a chuck support in response to excessive torque imparted to the chuck effective to stop the advance of the threading head.

2. In an electrically controlled nipple the threading machine, a rotatable threading head, a chuck pivoted on a horizontal axis, means to deliver a work piece to be threaded to said chuck,

an electrically controlled fluid motor to operate said means, a fluid motor operable to move the chuck from its work piece receiving position into position to align the work piece with the rotating threading head, electrically actuated control means for said chuck-moving motor actuable upon completion of the work piece feeding operation to start said motor, a third fluid motor operable to, advance the threading head over the work piece and to return it to its initial position when the threading operation is completed, electrically actuated control means for threading head fluid motor actuable to start saicl motor when the chuck moves into alignment with the head, and switch meansengageable by and effective when the head approaches its initial position to actuate the chuck-moving motor and return the chuck to work piece receiving position.

3. In an electrically controlled nipple threading machine, a rotatable threading head, a chuck pivoted on a horizontal axis, means to deliver a work piece to be threaded to said chuck, an electrically controlled fluid motor to operate said means, a fluid motor operable to move the chuck from its work piece receiving position into position to align the work piece with the rotating threading head, electrically actuated control means for said chuck moving motor actuable upon completion of the work piece feeding opera tion to start said motor, a third fluid motor operable to advance the threading head over the work piece and to return it to its initial position when the threading operation is completed, electrically actuated control means for the threading head fluid motor actuable to start said motor when the chuck moves into alignment with the head, switch means effective when the head approaches its initial position to actuate the chuck-moving motor and return the chuck to work piece receiving position, and means to release the threaded work piece for discharge.

4. In an electrically controlled nipple threading machine, the rotatable threading head, a pivotally mounted chuck means operable to deliver a work piece to be threaded to said chuck,

an electrically controlled motor to operate said means, a motor operable to move the chuck from its work piece receiving position into position to align the work piece with the threading head, electrically actuated means for said chuck-moving motor actuable upon completion of the work piece feeding operation to start said motor, a third motor operable to advance the threading head over the work piece and to return it to its initial position when the threading operation is completed, electrically actuated control means for the threading head motor actuable to start 12 said motor when the chuck moves into alignment with said head, and a switch engageable by and effective when the head approaches its initial position to actuate the chuck-moving motor to return the chuck to work receiving position.

5. In an electrically controlled nipple threading machine, a rotatable threading head, a pivotally mounted chuck movable into work receiving and work operating positions, a motor operable to move the chuck from its work receiving position into its work operating position to align a work piece therein with the threading head, a motor operable to advance the threading head over the work and to return it to its initial position when the threading operation is completed, electrically actuated control means for the threading head motor actuable to start said motor when the chuck moves into alignment with said head, and a switch eng-ageable by and effective when the head approaches its initial position to actuate the chuck-moving motor to return the chuck to work receiving position.

6. In an electrically controlled nipple threading machine, a rotatable threading head, a chuck pivoted on a horizontal axis, means to deliver a work piece to be threaded to said chuck, an electrically controlled motor to operate said means, a motor operable to move the chuck from its work piece receiving position into position to align the work piece with the rotating threading head, electrically actuated control means for said chuck-moving motor actuable upon completion of the work piece feeding operation to start said motor, a third motor operable to advance the threading head over the work piece and to return it to its initial position when the threading operation is completed, electrically actuated control means for the threading head motor actuable to start said motor when the chuck moves into alignment with the head, switch means effective when the head approaches its initial position to actuate the chuck-moving motor and return the chuck towork piece receiving position, and means to release the threaded work piece for discharge.

DONALD D. R. MACKINTOSH.

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